iThink iLove you

By STEVE TILLEY

Despite a few significant flaws and the high cost of ownership, the iPhone is a sexy, wonderfully engineered device.

 

Now that the iPhone launch hoopla has died down and we've been able to give Apple's golden child our undivided attention for a few weeks, it's time to weigh in.

Is this the be-all and end-all of mobile devices, or a flavour of the month that will soon be forgotten?

Neither, really. The iPhone has got some great things to offer, as well as some significant caveats. Here are five things we love -- and five things we don't -- about the new iPhone.

ILOVE

THE SCREEN

I can't say enough good things about the iPhone's ultra-crisp 3.5-inch display, with its spot-on touch sensitivity, intuitive interface and the nifty ability to detect when the phone is being rotated onto its side. It really is sexy, but also surprisingly functional.

THE APP STORE

The new iTunes App Store has hundreds of different programs you can download onto the iPhone, turning it into everything from a doctor's record-keeping tool to a bartender's mixing guide to a virtual lightsaber. Most are reasonably priced, many are free, and there's bound to be at least one you'd find invaluable.

THE MOBILE INTERNET

After being stuck with stripped-down cellphone versions of the Internet for so many years, surfing the Web on the iPhone is utter joy. It's fast, it looks great and it works almost like what you'd expect from a full-sized computer. All it needs is an iPhone version of Adobe Flash to make the experience complete.

THE IPOD

The iPhone shares its DNA with the iPod Touch, and as such it's a full-fledged, very slick multimedia device. On top of that, being able to download music, TV shows and movies over any Wi-Fi connection is almost dangerously easy. I'm not looking forward to the iTunes Store charge on this month's Visa bill.

THE VISUAL VOICEMAIL

No longer do you have to dial into your voicemail and sit through a caller's dozy preamble just to get to the meat of the message. Visual voicemail presents messages in a simple on-screen list, allowing you to listen in any order and easily and precisely fast forward and rewind within messages. It's golden.

The iPhone is not for everyone. It lacks the all-out versatility that power users may demand from a smartphone, while focusing on slick multimedia and online functions that some casual consumers won't need.

Despite a few significant flaws and the high cost of ownership, the iPhone is a sexy, wonderfully engineered device that kept me more entertained and connected to the world at large than any mobile phone has before. And that is definitely something to love.

ILOATHE

THE BATTERY

This could be the iPhone's Achilles heel. If you do a lot of talking or Internet browsing over the fast 3G network, the iPhone will barely last five hours before croaking. Be prepared to stay close to an outlet, or use the power-hungry features sparingly.

THE CONTRACT

As Canada's sole iPhone providers, Rogers and Fido will happily force you into a three-year contract -- the longest commitment of any iPhone provider in the world -- with absurdly inadequate data plans. A current offer gives you a very generous 6 GB of data transfers for $30 per month, but you have to sign up before Aug. 31. Here's hoping Rogers decides to make that plan permanent.

THE MISSING BASICS

Odd omissions like the lack of a text cut-and-paste function, or the inability to mark e-mail messages as read without actually opening them, are baffling. And why can't we use the nice landscape-mode keyboard in anything but the Internet browser? Makes no sense.

THE GPS

The new iPhone has a built-in GPS that helps pinpoint your location on a slick Google Maps screen, but I found it didn't work particularly quickly or reliably a lot of the time. And the software doesn't announce directions out loud or offer a 3-D map view, making it poorly suited as a driving aid.

THE CRASHES

The iPhone is essentially a tiny computer, and as such it's vulnerable to unexpected hiccups like crashes, freezes and resets, particularly when running some third-party programs. Usually these are infrequent and easily fixed, but they're a potential pitfall to bear in mind.

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IPHONE 3G

Price: $199 for 8 GB version, $299 for 16 GB version, with three-year contract from Rogers. See www.rogers.com/iphone for more information and rate plans.

iPhone Frenzy Hits Toronto

Hundreds of people braved the soggy conditions and deprived themselves of sleep to be among the first in Canada to purchase the new iPhone.

The touch screen device, which lets you surf the web, send email, play music, watch video, take pictures and, of course, make calls, went on sale at select stores across the country at 8am Friday, including the Rogers outlet at Young and Dundas Square where more than 200 people camped out overnight.

Jordon Brown, a high school student, had been standing outside the downtown store since 4pm Thursday and secured the first spot in the queue.

For more on the story, click HERE

Some people DO go overboard with trying to get it FIRST!  I'll just wait patiently till next shipment comes in in 2009~

There were LOTS of us lined up at different stores this AM... Fawk, it's just a phone; but it's release even makes the news... bleh.

God wrote:

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Apple Stuff hardly drop they prices...they keep their prices very good.

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I think their prices have dropped alot on their Ipod Nano models.
The price of the Ipod Classic is also really good for an 80GB model.

Dogo wrote:

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Hopefully this will make the iTouch go down in price

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They will drop. Apparantly in September when the new iTouch comes out.
Don't know how much the new iTouches will cost, but the current ones should drop. See the link below for more info.

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/06/19/ipod-touch-shortages-suggest-new-itouch-in-september

God wrote:

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Let's make the math

the cheapest plan is 60 bucks ...no caller id no enhanced voicemail and all that useless crap...3 years are 36 months

36 x60 = $2,160.00 plus tax = 2440.80
Plus 600 +/- of the phone...

after 3 years you are going to ended up with 3k less and an obsolete phone

EFF! THAT!

I rather to keep 3k in my pocket than a cool looking phone...

-- Edited by God at 08:42, 2008-07-10

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I only have to extend my contract for 3 years... I'm need a phone regardless, the only drawback is that I'd be tied down to Rogers for that period. 
Sure, T-Mobile or other competition will eventually set foot in Canada; but until that happens time a lot of time will go by.  I say at least a year to a year and a half.

I keep my current plan = no extra expenses other than the ones I ALREADY have.

All I got to spend is $300 for the 16GB OR 200 for the 8 GB = extra expense (which is worth for the upgrade to a smart phone)

I already went and the 16GB is SOLD OUT... They have the 8 GB only and that will likely sell out before end of day today as well.  Apparently most stores got like 6-8 16 GB phones only and a few/several dozen 8 GB phones.  I'll have to wait till the next 16GB shipment!

 

Yeah, that's pricey...
I think you're better off getting a media player (even an iToouch if you like the iPhone so much) for "play" and getting a phone, well... for a phone
I think it's a nifty little thing. I like it a lot.. just not at that cost
However, for me, it's mostly about the size, that turns me off. As small as it is (for all it does) I like my phone to be REALLY portable, and as small as possible. I'd implant my phone if I could!

a compatition is finaly gonna hit rogers hard cause t-mobile has better plans and there all unlimited

I'll keep costs down by using the iPhone to access internet only in emergencies or when there is WiFi connections. My current plan is pretty good and I don't wanna change it. Getting a different phone from Rogers, I would still have to renew my contract... or if I want to switch companies, I'd have to either wait till my current plan expires or pay a cancellation penalty to Rogers.

P.S.: I DO get what you're saying - specially the needing a lot of data if I am going to be doing a lot of NET usage; but I'll restrict myself to mostly Free WiFi spots... I mainly want it for the iTouch media capabilities, the easy dialing by tapping on a website's phone number, the many free software there is (or "borrowed" software sometimes that you can upload)... I've played with it and I just am in with it.  

-- Edited by LGigolo at 14:15, 2008-07-09

I just called Rogers myself.

In cases such as mine, that you have less than half a year on your contract, all you gotta do is EXTEND the current contract to a total of 3 years, KEEP YOUR CURRENT PLAN and you can get the new iPhone for $299 +taxes!

:happydance:

LGigolo wrote:

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X4v13r wrote:

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LGigolo wrote:

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X4v13r wrote:

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LGigolo wrote:

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Cellphone, madia (mp3, pics, video) player, camera, internet access ALL in ONE! What else could you ask for!? I'm getting one on Friday!!!

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U r?

all i have to say is LOL loser!!! sorry, but any1 that buys into the hype of a product deserves to be rape with no jelly by Rogers.

~X

 

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I've been wanting one for the longest time, and came close to paying $600-700 a couple of times... I decided to wait 'cause I did my research and heard the rumours of it eventually coming to Canada - I'm glad it FINALLY is here...
At $300, I get TWO things that I really want - The smartphone with WiFi internet access, and the media player (+ useful GPS built in). It's totally worth it!!! For me, at least.

 

 

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okay thats just the phone but u r forgetting about the plan that comes with it.... u'll be paying about $100 @ month for the basic plan (limited data,text,min, etc).

u can get the same thing even better with other phones, I look around some more if i was u before u buy into the hype.

~X

 

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It is my understanding I can keep my CURRENT PLAN (about $37/month, taxes included) - all I gotta do is extend my contract to 3 years.    I've been told that there is no need to buy into the new data plans.

 

 

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u might want to take a look at this

http://www.rogers.com/web/content/wireless-products/iphone_voice_data_packages

 

Already an existing customer?
If you are an existing customer, you may keep your existing voice service plan and add a separate data plan. To check your upgrade eligibility, please call 1 888 ROGERS1 or visit your nearest Rogers retail location.

 

~X

LGigolo wrote:

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X4v13r wrote:

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LGigolo wrote:

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Cellphone, madia (mp3, pics, video) player, camera, internet access ALL in ONE! What else could you ask for!? I'm getting one on Friday!!!

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U r?

all i have to say is LOL loser!!! sorry, but any1 that buys into the hype of a product deserves to be rape with no jelly by Rogers.

~X

 

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I've been wanting one for the longest time, and came close to paying $600-700 a couple of times... I decided to wait 'cause I did my research and heard the rumours of it eventually coming to Canada - I'm glad it FINALLY is here...
At $300, I get TWO things that I really want - The smartphone with WiFi internet access, and the media player (+ useful GPS built in).  It's totally worth it!!!  For me, at least.

 

 

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okay thats just the phone but u r forgetting about the plan that comes with it.... u'll be paying about $100 @ month for the basic plan (limited data,text,min, etc).

u can get the same thing even better with other phones, I look around some more if i was u before u buy into the hype.

~X

LGigolo wrote:

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Cellphone, madia (mp3, pics, video) player, camera, internet access ALL in ONE! What else could you ask for!? I'm getting one on Friday!!!

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U r?

all i have to say is LOL loser!!! sorry, but any1 that buys  into the hype of a product deserves to be rape with no jelly by Rogers.

~X

do you really need all that in a cellphone?

u can always get the hiphone and is only $239



Description:
C-002

This is the ultimate rock solid 99% iPhone clone and is selling like crazy. It is unlocked so just plug your SIM card in and you are good to go. Comes with one year warranty. Sells for only $239. No contracts. No rate plans. Just your existing SIM card is enough.

Main features at a glance:

1. 3.5" big screen that supports finger touch and no keypad, touch pen needed.
2. Dual SIM slots that holds two SIM chips and supports SIM card switching.
3. Triband GSM 900/1800/1900MHz that supports USA GSM standard.
4. Web addresses entering; web browsing, WAP setting, web address management.
5. Unlocked to any major network carrier.
6. SMS, MMS, voicemail and cell broadcast
7. MP3, MP4, file playing, recording, phone call recording.
8. Capturing, video capturing, photo viewing, playing
9. Hands free speaker phone. 3D sound.
10. Bluetooth supported.
11. TF card supported.
12. Diversified screen switch
13. One-Key return
14. Automatic screen rotation
Accessories: 2 batteries, Charger, USB Cable, Earphone, 512M T-Flash Card, User Manual, Phone Cover.

u can see it in action.



it doesn't look too bad, I'm actually thinking of getting one

~X

confundida wrote:

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i have a question....

can u txt back a msg or receive msg while ur listen to music???

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yes.

@angelita

sure as long as u unlock them!!

Dogo wrote:

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@ Angelita: You could rubber-band-it to your cell phone and pretend it's an iPhone

-- Edited by Dogo at 11:51, 2008-02-01

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 LMAO Quiet you!!

 But how long is the battery life?? Can you recieve calls when you are listening to music?? How many songs can you store?? How many pics can you store???

Is it Fido compatible??

exactly.....u willmake alot of friends!!!!

never mind guitar here on the phone now u can download porno on it!!!

angelita wrote:

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That's a nice phone, but i don't need all that stuff just to call someone

Besides, i have an IPOD already.

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But to carry an iPod AND a phone... why carry TWO items when you can have a two in one... or with the Iphne,it's a gazillion in one!

 

The only time I want my phone to work in the subway is when I am running late for work and I don't have change with me. Heck even then, I can always just call our office toll free number.